How to Make a Lettuce Ball

Lettuce is an easy and rewarding crop to grow, but it is also a favorite snack for animals to munch on. Try growing your lettuce up high out of their reach. By poking holes in a moss ball and planting lettuce inside, you can hang a lettuce ball at any height and simply snip off leaves to use in the kitchen. This is also a great option for vegetable gardeners living in apartments who only have balcony space available for gardening.

How to do it

Step 1 Soak Moss Ball

Soak the moss ball in water for 10 minutes. Let excess water drain from moss ball. Do not squeeze the moss ball to remove any liquid, just let it drain naturally over a sink or bucket.

Step 2 Make Holes for Lettuce

While the moss ball is still damp, make 1-inch holes, using your finger or the head of a screwdriver. Space them evenly around the moss ball, making sure to leave at least 2 inches between each hole for future growth.

Step 3 Plant Lettuce

Remove lettuce and other greens from their plastic bedding pots. Insert the roots of the greens into the holes you made. If the hole is larger than the plants, squeeze the sides of the moss around the stem to hold the plants in place until they root into the moss.

Step 4 Hang Lettuce Ball

Hang the lettuce ball in a sunny spot. Although lettuce prefers full sun for best growth, part sun is tolerated. Water the lettuce ball thoroughly and watch your greens grow.